Community seeks to cash in on container deposits

Residents of a remote Northern Territory community are hoping the cash-for-containers scheme is made permanent so Aboriginal people can profit from recycling.

The container deposit scheme has been thrown a lifeline, with the Territory Government funding it for two more months, from next Monday, after Coca-Cola Amatil and other beverage producers successfully challenged it in the Federal Court.

Kalkarindji resident Phil Smith says the scheme is good for local communities.

"At least half a million cans come into the community every year," he said.

He says that is enough to generate income of about $50,000 dollars a year for the community, about 480 kilometres south-west of Katherine.

Smith says locals want to do something positive with the containers.

"There are not many enterprise opportunities that come out here," he said.

"It was an opportunity for the community to actually start (a business) themselves, own it themselves and make real money themselves."

Kalkarindji elder Jimmy Wavehill is one of those hoping to set up a profitable recycling venture.

"I'm really proud if I can start something good for my people," he said.